Russian President Putin is on a visit to China.
Russian President Putin is on a two-day visit to China. He reached China on Tuesday. This visit of the Russian President to China, soon after the visit of US President Donald Trump, has attracted the attention of the world. However, visits of heads of state are pre-planned. It is not necessary that Trump visited China because Putin reached there. Come, on the pretext of Putin’s visit to China, let us know why the friendship between China and Russia is so deep? What are the five big reasons?
China and Russia are very important countries in world politics today. Both are big. Are powerful. Both have armies, resources and international influence. There is not just one reason for this. There are many political, economic and strategic reasons behind this. This relationship was not always the same. There was tension between the two in the past. There were also border disputes. There were differences of opinion regarding ideology, but with time both understood their interests. Now they are seen standing with each other on many issues. To understand the friendship between China and Russia, it is important to know how both countries see the world? Both feel that the influence of Western countries, especially America, is too much. Both do not want the world to be dominated by only one power. They want such a world order in which many big countries work together to maintain balance. This thinking strengthens their relationship.
1- Common response to US and Western pressure
The biggest reason for the closeness of China and Russia is America. Both countries have their own reasons. Russia feels that NATO and the West are coming closer to its borders. He feels this is a threat to his safety. On the other hand, China feels challenged by America’s Asia policy, trade pressure and Indo-Pacific strategy. Both countries feel that America wants to impose its terms in the world, so they support each other on many platforms.
US President Donald Trump.
Even in the United Nations Security Council, the thinking of both is often seen congruent. When pressure from Western countries increases on any international issue, then China and Russia come closer to each other. This friendship is less related to emotions and more related to strategy. Both know that living alone can be difficult. Their stature increases by living together. It also sends a message to the world that they are not going to bow down to the West. This shared pressure has deepened their friendship.
2- Strong relationship between energy and trade
Russia has a lot of oil, gas and mineral resources. China is one of the largest economies in the world. He needs constant energy. Its factories, cities and industries demand huge quantities of fuel. Here the interests of both get linked to each other. China is a big market for Russia. Especially when western countries imposed sanctions on Russia. At such a time, China became a very important buyer for Russia. On the other hand, China gets cheap and stable energy from Russia.
Both Russia and China want to reduce their dependence on the dollar. Photo: AP/PTI
Pipe-line projects, gas agreements and long-term trade agreements strengthen this relationship. Both countries have also been trying to reduce their dependence on the dollar. They talk about increasing trade in local currencies. This step is related to economic security. If risks from the Western financial system increase, both want an alternative path.
3- Strategic and military cooperation
The relationship between China and Russia has also increased in the field of security. Both countries conduct military exercises. Technical cooperation is also seen in the defense sector. This cooperation is not just for show. The clear message behind this is that both are big military powers and can protect their interests. Russia has long been considered strong in military technology.
China has also modernized its army rapidly in the last years. There are many levels of defense equipment, training and security dialogue between the two. This increases confidence. Besides, both are aware of each other’s strength. However, it would not be correct to say that the two are completely bound in a military alliance. Their relationship is not a formal alliance like NATO. Nevertheless, in many cases their strategic coordination is strong. Especially when they consider the activities of America and its allies as a challenge for themselves. This cooperation also impacts areas like Asia, Europe and the Arctic.
Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: AP/PTI
4- Shared vision of a multipolar world
Both China and Russia want a world in which there are many powers. They do not want a single country to set global rules. This thinking is called multipolar world system. This idea is an important part of his foreign policy. Russia considers itself a great civilization and global power. China is also moving forward keeping both its old glory and modern strength in front. Both want an alternative to Western influence in Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America. That is why they work together in BRICS, Shanghai Cooperation Organization and other forums.
The role of both the countries remains important on these forums. They also give a message to the developing countries that there are forces in the world other than the West. This message attracts many countries. Especially those countries which are troubled by western pressure. This shared thinking has given an ideological basis to the relationship between China and Russia. They do not think alike on every issue. But it is certain that they have in common the desire to change the global balance of power. This similarity makes their closeness durable.
5- Economic benefit, diplomatic support
Another big reason for the friendship between China and Russia is practical politics. Both countries give more importance to their interests than idealism. They know that in this world there are less permanent friends and more permanent interests. Therefore, they pursue their relationship not on an emotional basis, but on a utilitarian basis. There have been differences between China and Russia in the past. But now both want to leave those old disputes behind and move forward.
Another big reason for the friendship between China and Russia is practical politics.
Border disputes have been resolved to a great extent. The lines of communication are open. Both also understand that conflict will lead to loss and cooperation will lead to benefit. Russia gets economic relief, market and diplomatic support from China. China gets support from Russia in energy, security cooperation and global forums. This relationship is a profitable deal for both. This is the reason why they do not distance themselves from each other even in difficult times. They put their respective national interests first. Nevertheless, at present their interests largely go in one direction. This practicality is the real strength of their friendship.
In simple words, the friendship between China and Russia has many layers. There is pressure from America and the West behind this. There is a relationship between energy and trade. There is military and strategic cooperation. There is a shared vision of a multipolar world. At the same time, there is also very strong practical politics. Still, it is important to remember that this friendship is not purely emotional. It is based on interests.
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